bequeath
Verb
Hard difficulty
What does “bequeath” mean?
verb.to leave a property to a person or other beneficiary by a will.
SAT Usage
This word often appears in passages related to inheritance, family dynamics, or legal contexts. It emphasizes the act of passing down not just tangible assets, but also values or legacies, distinguishing it from similar terms like "donate," which implies a voluntary gift without the legal connotation of a will.
Common Confusions
Bequeath implies the legal transfer of assets through a will, while donate usually suggests a voluntary act of giving without any legal obligation or expectation of return.
Do not choose bequeath if the context emphasizes a gift given during someone's lifetime rather than leaving a property to a person or other beneficiary by a will.
Example Sentences
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He chose to bequeath his library to the city's archive.
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In his will, he decided to bequeath his entire estate to charity.